The fifth chapter of Mark tells the story of a synagogue leader who reached the point where desperation exceeded dignity. He begged Jesus to heal his dying daughter. And Jesus did, with a look on his face that said, Come here. I’ve got a secret.

I’ve seen that sparkle of eternity in the eyes of a cancer patient who said, “I’m ready to go.” I saw it at a funeral. The widower didn’t weep like the others. “Don’t worry about me,” he said. “I know where she is.” Peace where there should be pain. Hope defying despair. That’s what that look says. It is a look that knows the answer to the question asked by every mortal: Does death have the last word? I can see Jesus wink as he answers, “Not on your life.”